Obituaries
John A. Bedunah
John Arther Bedunah of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. (formerly of Charlotte), died on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Fla. Services will be announced at a later date.
Barbara J. Rieben
Barbara J. Rieben, age 70, peacefully passed away at her Swanton home surrounded by the comfort of her loving family. She was born in Charlotte, Mich. on February 21, 1950 to the late Leland Wendel and Jean (Riddle) Oberlin. Barb was a 1968 graduate of Charlotte High School and on September 12, 1970 she married James E. Rieben. Together Barb and Jim took their only daughter, Tina to upstate New York; where Jim pursued a career with Owens Illinois. The three of them remained in New York for over 20 years before moving and settling in Swanton in 1998. Barb was a breast cancer survivor, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. She lived for her grandchildren and spent as much time as possible with them. Barb especially enjoyed being a snowbird with her husband and friends in Ruskin, FL. She also loved to “get away for the weekend” to go crafting with the girls. Barb enjoyed playing bingo with friends and watching her three grandchildren show their livestock at the Fulton County Fair. She was loved and will be deeply missed. Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 50 years, James E. Rieben; daughter, Tina Jo (Alex) Tedrow of Wauseon; grandchildren, Jolyssa M. (Garrett Cass) Tedrow, Ashlynn R. Tedrow and McCoy J. Tedrow; sisters, Karol Bartlett and Denise Riddle; brothers, Geoff (Diana) Riddle and Dale (Amber) Wendel all of Charlotte; along with many dear friends. Family and friends were received from 10 a.m. – 12 noon on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St Hwy 109 in Delta; where a memorial service honoring Barb’s life began at 12 noon. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, those attending are asked to follow CDC guidelines by wearing a facial mask and observe six-foot distancing when possible. Pastor Maryann Reimund will be officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at barnesfuneralchapel.com.
Francis H. Lordson
Francis H. Lordson, 80 of Vermontville and formerly of Pickford, Mich., died peacefully at the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
Francis was born October 2, 1939 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the son of Alfred and Agnes Lordson. Francis was employed as a laborer in the Laborer’s Union Local 998/499 from 1960-1998. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in the 37th Field Artillery Unit from 1962 to 1965.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Joy on October 27, 2005. Surviving are his daughter, Andrea H. Perry of LaGrange, Ind.; grandchildren, Raeleen Hapeman of Battle Creek, Eric Hapeman of Vermontville and Robert Hapeman of Ypsilanti. In addition to his wife, Francis was also preceded in death by his parents; his brother Norman Lordson, his sister and her husband, Mae and Clifford Anderson, his brother-in-law, Max Waun and many other family members and friends.
Per Francis’ wishes his cremated remains will be interred at Donaldson Cemetery, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family may be placed at farleyestesdowdle.com.
Ray Hackworth
Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Ray Hackworth, went to be with his heavenly father on September 26, 2020. Ray was born December 26, 1934 to Johnnie and Effie (Williams) Hackworth in Kentucky.
Ray loved his family, friends and church family. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958-1959 in the Signal Corp. After returning from the service he worked as an electrician for 30 years at General Motors until his retirement in 1985. While working at General Motors Ray also owned and operated a grocery store and laundry mat in Potterville. He never had just one job. After his GM retirement he became a financial advisor for Waddell-Reed, a Real Estate agent, and managed several rental properties until 2019.
Ray also enjoyed maintaining their beautiful property surrounding their residence which included a large pond and garden where many family gatherings and celebrations were held. Ray liked planting and watching sunflowers grow taller than him, riding his tractor and four-wheeler and following the stock market. In the winter, he and Joan spent time at their Florida seasonal home where he loved the warmth of the sun
Ray was married for 61 years to his wife Joan (Collins). Ray and Joan were blessed with five loving children; Beverly (Ed) Lira, Cheri (Jeff) Elston, Annette Robinson, Dana Converse and Eric Hackworth; three grandsons, Nathan Robinson, and Joel and Jared Converse; Seven granddaughters, Ashley (Matt) Carpp, Elizabeth (Brian) Colopy, Faye (Jacob) VanSickle, Jana Converse, Rachael (Rob) Dulebon, Madison and Makayla Lira; two great grandsons, and five great granddaughters. Ray is also survived by his sister Sharon (Aaron) Collins and brother Bob (Dee) Hackworth, many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Ray always wanted everyone in his family to succeed and was always there to provide his words of wisdom and advice. We will miss him dearly but know he is surrounded by his loving parents, friends and Heavenly Father. We are comforted knowing that we will be together again.
The Hackworth family will be receiving guests during visitation Monday 6 – 8 p.m. at the Pray Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday September 29, at 10 a.m. in the Pray Funeral Home Gardens with John Coakley officiating. In recognition of the Executive Orders for the State of Michigan Mask and Social Distancing guidelines will be practiced both indoors and outdoors.
The funeral service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Ray’s tribute, and then click on Photos & Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Just prior to the beginning of the service, a link will appear on this page to watch the webcast.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Ray on his tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Sandra L. McDonald
Sandra ‘Sandy’ Louise McDonald, 78 of Charlotte, a woman who will be remembered for her positive attitude and warm smile, passed away on March 20, 2020 in Lansing. She was born September 15, 1941 to Wendell and Dorothy (Coplin) Anderson in Charlotte. She attended Charlotte High School, graduating 1959 and earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Lansing Community College. On June 26, 1966 she married Scott McDonald.
Sandy worked aas a Licensed Practical Nurse at Sparrow Hospital and Eaton Rapids Hospital for a few years. Following her nursing career, she went to work for Eaton Intermediate School District as a Para-Professional until her retirement. Her family will always remember Sandy as a person who influenced the lives of many young people in a positive way. Sandy enjoyed scrapbooking, creating wonderful stories using the family pictures. She also was actively pursuing her family genealogy, creating a wonderful keepsake family tree. She was active in the community as a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Maple City Chapter 218. Above all else, Sandy was most proud of her children and the way they turned out to be wonderful adults.
Sandy is survived by her husband, Scott; their children, Steven (Maria) McDonald of Virginia, Stanley (Nicky) McDonald of Kalamazoo, and Sheila (Kevin) Meyle of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, Carolyn McDonald, Matthew McDonald, Rebecca McDonald, Ryan McDonald, Logan Meyle, Kyla Meyle; sister Elaine Hansen of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Wendell H. Anderson, Jr.
The family would like to thank the staff at Regency Lansing West and Mother Teresa House in Lansing for their wonderful care.
The McDonald family will be hosting a Graveside Service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 12 noon.
If desired, the family has suggested memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, or a charity of your choice. Friends who are not able to visit are encouraged to support Sandy’s family through calls, letters, and through Sandy’s tribute page at PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.